PAKPAC

January 30th 2006, Washington, DC---- Twelve (12) representatives of Muslim, Sikh, Arab American, South Asian and Pakistani American organizations met with the Attorney General Alberto Gonzales at a hour long round table discussion on wide ranging issues such as domestic surveillance, The Patriot Act, immigrant registration, hate crimes, racial profiling, global American image, and general relations between law enforcement and grassroots communities.

Dr. Raza Bokhari, President, Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC), represented the Pakistani American community.

Remarks made by Dr. Raza Bokhari during this discussion included concerns of the the Pakistani American community, which is approaching 700,000 in number and the hardships faced by them on account of these challenges. He also mentioned about a great many of Pakistani Americans are“ living the American dream” in peace and prosperity in our adopted homeland. He mentioned how the community strongly feels committed and duty bound in sharing these perspectives with anyone that they can, as we feel that this can in some small way help in enhancing the American image around the world, particularly in Pakistan. Pakistan role as a vital ally of America in this war against terror was mentioned along with the importance of winning over the hearts and minds of the people of Pakistan.

He mentioned about the $510 million generous donation of America in response to the recent earthquake in Pakistan, and the deployment of US armed forces to help Pakistan in rescue and relief mission which have recently won a lot of goodwill for America; and the important role of the Pakistani American community to further strengthen this goodwill.

Dr. Bokhari stated that the Pakistani American community is also very committed to work with local and federal law enforcement and surveillance agencies to ensure that our nation is not attacked again by terrorists of any sort; we hold our adopted homeland very sacred and cannot tolerate any acts of violence against America at home or abroad. However, the community remain very apprehensive of becoming a target of hate crime on account of ongoing terrorist threats to America; He sought assurance that our government was doing everything possible to minimize such acts. The concerns regarding domestic surveillance, The Patriot Act, immigrant registration, hate crimes, racial profiling, and general relations between law enforcement and grassroots communities were re-iterated

He thanked Attorney general Gonzalez, for recognizing the consistent role of Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee with their role in the civil rights challenges for the people, and inviting PAKPAC representative to a select group of leaders. Dr. Bokhari thanked Mr. George Salem and Jim Zogby of American Arab Institute who played an important role in putting the meeting together.

Finally, Dr. Bokhari invited Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez on behalf of PAKPAC to deliver a keynote address on July 8th, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois 17th Annual PAKPAC Luncheon.

PAKPAC thanks all the PAKPAC members, Pakistani American community leaders and organiztions who have communicated their concerns and issues with us. PAKPAC will continue to have meeting with representatives of the Department of Justice and mention the specific issues in more detail. We request all to continue to share the cases and issues with us via email info@pakpac.net.

The Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC) is a nationwide, membership based, not for-profit lobbying organization registered with the US Federal Election Commission. PAKPAC’s mission is to advance and strengthen U.S.-Pakistan relations, while working tirelessly to preserve, protect and promote ideals of civil liberties commonly cherished by all Americans. PAKPAC is organized to give voice to issues and concerns common to the Pakistani American community. It play’s an important role in fostering greater political and civic engagement within the Pakistani Americans. PAKPAC is also focused in collaborating with other regional and national Pakistani American organizations, as it continues to serve as a watch dog for inaccurate and negatively biased media coverage about Pakistan and Pakistani Americans. PAKPAC is also involved in educating media outlets, political parties, academic institutions, think tanks, and Administration (US as well as Pakistani) about issues of concern and significance to the Pakistani American community.

(For more information on PAKPAC, browse our website www.pakpac.net).